FORMER Scotland captain David Weir believes most of his countrymen want to play for Great Britain at next year’s Olympic Games – and says those who do not are “foolish”.

The 41-year-old Rangers veteran claims his fellow professionals do not share the Scottish Football Association’s scepticism about the concept.

The SFA are concerned that any involvement in a British team could affect their independence as a football nation.

Weir reckons, however, that it would be unfair to deny Scottish players a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to compete for an Olympic medal in London.

“I’m all for it (Team GB).

“It’s a great idea,” Weir said.

“If I was asked to play – although, let’s be honest, that’s not really that likely – I wouldn’t hesitate for a second.

“I think that’s a widespread view amongst most (Scottish) players, which isn’t that surprising because they’d be very foolish to say no, and I don’t think that many will.

“The SFA can say what they want, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and any player who turned it down would regret it forever.

“There may be some pressure to say no but, when players realise that they have an opportunity to win a gold medal at the Olympics, then they’ll begin to realise what’s at stake, which is the chance to be part of history, to be at the centre of events at an Olympics on home soil.”